You ask. Causeway answers.
In future issues of our Causeway Connections e-blasts, we’ll feature questions from parents and caregivers in a section called Let’s Go There, along with Causeway’s best answers. Being our first e-blast, this time we’ve asked mental health clinician and Futures Coach Anthony Rinaldi, MS, LPC-A at our Westport location, to share his expertise about what he hears most from parents during this pivotal prep-time of year.
Let’s go there.
College is a monumental milestone filled with excitement, nerves, and lots of uncertainty. Anthony is deft at helping rising adult young men transition from high school to college and has attainable strategies and stellar advice for parents balancing between supporting their sons and giving them the space to grow.
- Encourage Transparency
Anthony Rinaldi, a futures coach at Causeway Collaborative, empowers young men with his compassionate, client-centered approach and extensive mental health experience.
One of the biggest concerns for parents is how to ensure their son stays on track academically, whether he’s miles from home or attending school a town away. “A lot of parents worry about their son’s attendance…whether he’s submitting work, and if he’s being honest about his progress,” Anthony says. His approach? Make everything visual. “We operate as if it didn’t happen unless we see it,” he explains. This means consistently checking in during sessions by pulling up emails, grade portals, and assignment lists. “The practice of doing it, whether it’s good or bad, keeps everyone accountable.”
- Get Creative with Accountability
Accountability can be a challenge when your son is miles away, but Anthony suggests some innovative solutions. For students who struggle with morning classes, he recommends breaking down sessions into 15-minute check-ins, even using FaceTime to ensure a student is going where they say they are. (“We’ve literally FaceTimed guys walking to class.”) For more guarded students, he suggests sharing login credentials (with permission, of course). “I never intend on logging into a guy’s stuff…but it’s a good safety valve.”
- Encourage Structured Communication
Parents can fall into one of two extremes: they either over-communicate or barely hear from their sons. To strike a balance, Anthony recommends setting up regular check-ins. “I’ve had clients set up weekly or bi-weekly calls with their parents, where they discuss how they’re doing academically and socially,” he shares. These structured times help parents stay involved without overwhelming their sons, and they allow students to maintain a sense of independence.
(Pro Tip: If your son resists, Anthony offers this practical perspective: “The more info, the better, whether it’s good or bad.” Regular updates prevent unpleasant surprises and help build a stronger, more trusting relationship between parents and their sons.”)
- Embrace the Peaks and Valleys
Anthony’s golden nugget for worried parents? Normalize the ups and downs of college life. “This is a major transition period,” he says. “Students are navigating new relationships, environments, and learning systems.” He encourages parents to focus less on results and more on the process, allowing their sons to learn from natural consequences. “Your son will learn more from failing a class on his own than from you helicoptering,” Anthony advises. “Be patient, and don’t be overly critical during this time of growth.”
College is a time of incredible transformation, and Anthony’s advice reminds us that the journey is just as important as the destination. With a little guidance, a lot of understanding, and the right balance of involvement, you, as a parent, can help your son make the most of this pivotal chapter in his life.
Like what Anthony has to say? Book a discovery call to see if his perspective is right for your son’s success. And if you have a question for a future Let’s Go There, please email info@causewaycollaborative. We’ll happily get your question in front of our staff.